The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) is contemplating the establishment of a subcommittee to address issues stemming from the reduction of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Read what this may mean for Cal/OSHA.
Justice Souter’s Impact on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
As many of my readers know, Justice Souter died last week. I thought I would explore his legacy with respect to the rights of persons with disabilities. As usual, the blog entry is divided into categories and they are: opinions
Cal/OSHA Standards Board Considers Subcommittee in Response to NIOSH Cuts
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) is considering the formation of a subcommittee to tackle challenges arising from the dismantling of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
During the OSHSB meeting on April 17
AB 2561: New Amendments to the MMBA Bring Transparency to the Public Sector Vacancy Crisis
AB
2561, signed into law in September 2024, amends the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act
(MMBA) to address the persistent public sector vacancy crisis in California
while significantly enhancing the role of public sector unions in
UK Business Immigration – The Immigration White Paper is here
The government’s long awaited White Paper Restoring Control over the Immigration System has been published today. As part of the Home Secretary’s foreword in the Paper, she states that the plan will “restore order, control and fairness to the system,
DOL Signals Changes to Independent Contractor Rule
On May 1, 2025, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued a Field Assistance Bulletin, announcing that it will no longer enforce a 2024 Biden-era independent contractor rule under the Fair Labor Standards
Washington State May Ease Pay Transparency Rules
Washington is considering changes to its Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) which may impact employer obligations. For more, follow the link below:
HHS Settlement Follows Business Associate Breach Exposing 4,304 Individuals’ ePHI on the Internet
The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a settlement with a business associate that provides wellness plans to various clients nationwide.
OCR had been investigating the business associate for
Seventh Circuit Affirms that Employer’s Withdrawal Liability Cannot Be Based on Post-Rehabilitation Plan Contribution Increases
We recently reported on a district court decision holding that the Central States Pension Fund’s calculation of withdrawal liability should not have included contribution rate increases imposed after the Fund’s implementation of a rehabilitation plan. In Central States, S.E. &
Approved New York State Budget Bolsters Child Labor Protections
On May 9, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law numerous provisions under the FY26 New York State Budget that, among other things, increase the civil penalties for employers that violate state child labor laws and modify existing permitting and